Eleven-year-old Aaron Kerlee is having a very good year.

A member of the California Junior Livestock Association, Aaron has won every Junior Showmanship Contest he has entered this year, including the California Pork Producers Association, Red Wave Classic, Western Bonanza A&B, Circle of Champions, Monterey Bay Classic and the MJC Showmaster Classic.

Seven out of seven! And that’s just January through June.

Caring for Show Animals in Summer

HIGH OCTANE® Power Fuel® is an advanced high-energy supplement for all classes of animals being fed and fitted for show. This includes show cattle, show pigs, show lambs and show goats. HIGH OCTANE® Power Fuel® is designed to be fed as a topdress to supply additional energy.

Power Fuel® Topdress is:

• Highly palatable

• Contains essential fatty acids: for the overall health and look of your show animal

• Contains Tasco®, important during periods of stress

One of our most frequently asked questions is what is the difference between our two top dress supplements: Champion Drive and Power Fuel?

• HIGH OCTANE Power Fuel is a high energy (31% crude fat) extruded nugget. It is used to improve cover, increase growth and improve the circulation and respiratory systems
   

• HIGH OCTANE Champion Drive is a pelleted, 32% crude protein product that is used to improve skin, hair and wool shine and luster. It also does a great job at putting shape in the top of an animal.

Now that you know the difference, you should be able to make the right choice in the weeks leading up to a show.

Aaron still sources his prize-winning pigs from his uncle, Ryan Watje, a Purina HONOR® Show Chow® Showpig Ambassador. But these days, Aaron shoulders the financial responsibility himself.

“When they go to the feed store, both Aaron and his older brother Kyle bring along their own checkbooks,” says his mother Maddi. “They sell their pigs at the county fair and that money goes into their checking accounts and savings accounts. The savings accounts are for college—that money is off limits. But the checking accounts are for running their projects,” says Aaron’s Mom proudly.

Aaron even does the breeding himself, artificially, according to his mother. “He just spent $400 on semen. He’s looking for high quality pigs that can be sold.”

Aaron also pays for his own feed and supplies. “I feed HONOR® Show Chow® Showpig Finisher—actually, First Wean One, then Showpig Prep, then Showpig Finisher,” says Aaron. “I’m glad that I’ve fed HONOR® Show Chow® because it’s really working out.”

Now in his second year of 4-H, Aaron says he enjoys competing because he enjoys learning and meeting new people. He’s also in the lead in a points competition to win a computer from Best Buy.

In spite of his incredible winning streak, Aaron remains humble. Although slightly reticent to talk about his own accomplishments, he’s very forthcoming when expressing his appreciation for the support he has gotten from his dad, his grandfather, his uncle, his brother who also shows pigs, and his Mom who grew up showing steers. In fact, Aaron is hoping to try his hand at showing steers sometime in the future. In the meantime, he has his eight show pigs and he’s looking forward to August 1 when his crossbred sow is going to farrow.